Scottish Parliament

Written Answers

Wednesday 10 November 1999

Scottish Executive

Agriculture

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that payments of agricultural grants or subsidies could resolve the current situation in the sheep, pig, beef and hill farming sectors.

Ross Finnie: These sectors receive over £300 million annually in direct payments, confirming the importance I place on their role in the rural economy. Acknowledging the current income position, the Scottish Executive is working with the industry to find new and innovative ways to help each sector increase its income from the market.

Air Accident

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government as to why information regarding litigation by the Ministry of Defence against manufacturers of the Chinook FADEC system was apparently not made available to the fatal accident inquiry in 1996 into the crash of ZD576 RAF Chinook on the Mull of Kintyre, and whether it can confirm that it has now received all documentation relating thereto.

Lord Hardie: When allegations about the FADEC system were first made the Crown Office immediately sought and thereafter obtained a very full account of the issue from the Ministry of Defence. The litigation, which was settled out of court, related to the test of a pre-production version of the software in conditions of simulated battle damage. There is no evidence to suggest that information about that matter would have made a difference to the outcome of the Fatal Accident Inquiry and, accordingly, no further documentation is required.

Air Accident

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any information was held by or known to the Lord Advocate and the Crown Office but not produced at the time of the fatal accident inquiry in 1996 into the crash of ZD576 RAF Chinook on the Mull of Kintyre relating to litigation by the Ministry of Defence against the manufacturers of the Chinook FADEC system and investigations by Boeing Corporation into cracking in the gearbox in the Chinook Helicopter.

Lord Hardie: All information known to the Lord Advocate and Crown Office was made available to those representing the families of the deceased, the Ministry of Defence and the aircraft manufacturers. All evidence known to the Lord Advocate and Crown Office which was considered to be in any way relevant to the Fatal Accident Inquiry was led at that Inquiry.

Civil Service

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many civil servants it employs, in part or in full in a research capacity, broken down by department.

Mr Jack McConnell: On the basis of the number of staff employed by the Scottish Executive as members of the Research Group, the numbers are as set out below. There are other members of staff, for example, within the scientific group, who undertake some research but these have not been included.

  

 

Civil Servants 
  Employed in a Research Capacity 


Civil Servants 
  Employed in a Research Capacity (Full Time Equivalent) 
  




Scottish Executive Enterprise and 
  Lifelong Learning Department 
  

2 
  

2.0 
  



Scottish Executive Development 
  Department 
  

15 
  

13.2 
  



Scottish Executive Justice Department 
  

13 
  

12.6 
  



Scottish Executive Health Department 
  

2 
  

2.0 
  



Scottish Executive Rural Affairs 
  Department 
  

4 
  

4.0 
  



Scottish Executive Education Department 
  

6 
  

5.6 
  



Scottish Executive Secretariat 
  

1 
  

1.0 
  



Scottish Prison Service 
  

4 
  

4.0 
  



Unpaid Loan/Secondment - Scottish 
  Parliament 
  

2 
  

2.0 
  



TOTAL 
  

49 
  

46.4

Culture

Michael Russell (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Opera has given reasons for incurring a potential deficit, and if so, what they are.

Mr Sam Galbraith: Discussions are continuing between Scottish Opera and the Scottish Arts Council.

Education

Mr Brian Monteith (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress it is making on proposals to fund grant-aided schools through local authorities.

Peter Peacock: Comments have been invited on the proposals relating to the grant-aided special schools by 30 November. Officials are currently meeting with the seven schools to discuss their individual views over the proposals.

Emergency Services

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the planned spend on replacement vehicles for each Fire Brigade in Scotland for the current and each of the next two financial years and how these figures compare with those for each of the last two financial years.

Angus MacKay: The available information is as follows:-

  Actual, forecast and planned spend on purchase of vehicles by fire brigades in Scotland: figures in £,000.

  


Brigade 


Actual 
  


Forecast 
  


Planned 
  



 

1997-98 
  


1998-99 
  


1999-2000 
  


2000-01 
  


2001-02 
  




Central Scotland 
  

470 
  

375 
  

318 
  

350 
  

350 
  



Dumfries & Galloway 
  

359 
  

169 
  

169 
  

230 
  

240 
  



Fife 
  

380 
  

490 
  

769 
  

730 
  

470 
  



Grampian 
  

750 
  

603 
  

215 
  

680 
  

675 
  



Highland & Islands 
  

878 
  

444 
  

550 
  

750 
  

750 
  



Lothian & Borders 
  

1,012 
  

535 
  

805 
  

1,962* 
  

2,120* 
  



Strathclyde 
  

1,160 
  

683 
  

731 
  

742 
  

957 
  



Tayside 
  

545 
  

486 
  

747 
  

778 
  

809 
  



  Source: specific returns from brigades

  Note: * figures represent desired rather than projected spend

Emergency Services

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to alter the terms and conditions of the pension scheme covering the fire brigade and the police, and, in particular, whether any changes are planned to the respective percentage contribution of the employees and employers.

Angus MacKay: Consultation documents setting out options for changes in the police and fire service pension schemes, including changes in contribution rates, were published by the Home Office in March 1998. The response to consultation is under consideration.

Environment

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it proposes to take to ensure that Dounreay will not become a disposal site for all solid, low level, radioactive waste produced in Scotland.

Sarah Boyack: Policy for the management of radioactive waste is currently under review following a report by the House of Lords Select Committee on Science and Technology. That review will not be completed until a wide-ranging public consultation exercise has been undertaken and comments submitted in that process have been analysed.

  The views of the Scottish Executive were reflected in the Government’s response to the Select Committee’s report. That response did not endorse any particular management policy. The suggestion that Dounreay could take low level waste (LLW) from around Scotland was contained in the Radioactive Waste Management Advisory Committee’s (RWMAC) response to the Select Committee’s Report on management of nuclear waste.

Finance

Euan Robson (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive how many bodies which do not fall under section 21 (2) (a) of the Public Finance and Accountability Bill received an income of more than £100,000 last financial year and received less than 50% of their income from public funds as defined in Section 21(5) of that Bill.

Mr Jack McConnell: This question covers two types of bodies; those that receive funds direct from the Scottish Ministers and those who are funded indirectly through other bodies. Information on the latter category is not readily available. To obtain this information would involve disproportionate cost.

  Of those bodies that receive grants from the Scottish Ministers, the bodies listed below receive less than 50% of their income from public funds as defined under section 21(5) of the Public Finance and Accountability Bill.

  In addition to the bodies listed below, the Scottish Ministers pay grants from the European Regional Development Fund and the European Social Fund. The grants are paid to a variety of organisations including companies, local authorities and educational institutions. The application process for these grants does not require applicants to inform the Executive of their annual income and it is therefore not possible to ascertain, without disproportionate costs, which bodies receive less than 50% of their funding from the Scottish Ministers. There are some other recipients of public funds for which establishing whether they received less than 50% of their income from public funds would involve disproportionate cost. These include payments made under the Regional Selective Assistance Scheme and those made to voluntary organisations for projects involving social issues, housing, supporting the rural economy and architectural heritage.

  BODIES RECEIVING GRANTS FROM SCOTTISH MINISTERS THAT RECEIVE LESS THAN 50% OF THEIR INCOME FROM PUBLIC FUNDS

  Age Concern*

  Alzheimer Scotland Action on Dementia

  BACUP*

  Breast Cancer Care*

  British Fluoridation Society

  British Liver Trust*

  British Red Cross

  British Red Cross Project

  Brittle Bone Society*

  Brook Advisory Centre

  Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd

  Central Scotland Countryside Trust

  CHAS

  Children in Scotland

  Community Learning Scotland

  Crusaid Scotland

  Dementia Services Development Centre

  Depression Alliance

  Disability Scotland

  Epilepsy Association

  Epilepsy Association Capital

  Family Planning Association*

  Forward Scotland

  Head Injuries Trust for Scotland

  Healthy Gay Scotland Initiative

  National Aids Trust

  National Asthma Campaign*

  National Childbirth Trust*

  National Schizophrenia Fellowship*

  Neurofibromatosis Association*

  New Lanark Conservation Trust

  Pain Association Scotland

  Parkinson's Disease Society*

  P&O Scottish Ferries

  Positive Steps Partnership

  Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

  Scottish Association for Mental Health

  Scottish Bobath Association

  Scottish Cot Death Trust

  Scottish Council for Educational Technology

  Scottish Huntingdon’s Association

  Scottish Motor Neurone Project

  Scottish Partnership Agency

  Scottish Partnership Agency Project Grant

  Sense Scotland

  Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society*

  Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society Project Grant

  Action on Pre-Eclampsia*

  * National Voluntary Organisations. Funding in respect of Scottish groups only.

Finance

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what is the cumulative reduction, if any, in enterprise and lifelong learning expenditure over the period 1997-98 to 2001-02 compared to spending if it were frozen in real terms at 1996-97 levels.

Mr Jack McConnell: I refer the member to the tables I gave MSPs after my statement of 6 October, which are available in SPICe.

Finance

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what its detailed plans are for the allocation of the unallocated capital modernisation fund.

Mr Jack McConnell: I am considering the options available to allocate the unallocated capital modernisation fund, no decisions have yet been made.

Finance

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what specific expenditure accounts for the estimated increases in Scottish Executive administration costs in the year 1999-2000 compared to those previously announced, and which reductions, if any, will be made to this budget in each of the future years for which information is available.

Mr Jack McConnell: The principal change to the Scottish Executive Administration vote reflects take up of end year flexibility – underspending from 1998-99 provision – amounting to £6,556,000. There have also been a range of technical accounting changes and transfer to and from other votes. The baseline provision for administration – net of end-year flexibility – has been reduced from the original plans. Some reductions will be made in forward years to reflect the Executive’s decision to scale back planned work by the Inland Revenue and the Department of Social Security on preparing for implementation of the Scottish Variable Rate. Some savings are also being made from the capital budget.

Finance

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the next edition of Government Expenditure and Revenue in Scotland .

Mr Jack McConnell: No firm date has been set for the next publication.

Finance

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list each announcement it has made with financial implications since 6 May and the amount of expenditure associated, detailed by item.

Mr Jack McConnell: Information relating to all significant announcements made by the Scottish Executive since 6 May 1999 can be found on the Scottish Executive web site.

Finance

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it proposes to take forward the review of the Programme Management Executives which are responsible for implementing European Structural Funds in Scotland in co-operation with the Scottish Executive.

Mr Jack McConnell: As I made clear in the debate on Structural Funds on 28 October, I have decided that a Review should be conducted of the operation of the Programme Management Executives (PMEs) and their relationship with the Scottish Executive. The aim of this Review is to clarify and define roles in order to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the new round of Structural Funds in Scotland.

  The Review will be conducted by a team of Scottish Executive staff and staff from the PMEs. To provide strategic guidance to the Review I have appointed a Steering Committee. I am pleased that Lex Gold, Director of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, has agreed to chair the Steering Committee. The other members will be:

  Sandy Brady, Director of Strategy, Highlands & Islands Enterprise.

  Campbell Christie, Member, Economic and Social Committee and Chair of Scotland Europa.

  Alistair Grimes, Chief Executive, Community Enterprise Strathclyde.

  Councillor Christine May, European and International Spokesperson, COSLA and Leader of Fife Council.

  Sally Watson, Lecturer, Lews Castle College, Stornoway.

  Steering Committee meetings will be advised by Scottish Executive officials and a Programme Management Executive Director.

  I look forward to receiving the results of the Review early next year so that they can be fed in to the preparations for implementing the new round of Structural Funds.

Fisheries

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations it made to the European Union Fisheries Council meeting on 26 October 1999 on the need for financial aid to the freshwater fisheries sector; what representations it will make to the next Council meeting on 22 November 1999 on this issue; which Minister attended the meeting on 26 October, and who will attend the meeting on 22 November.

Mr John Home Robertson: The Fisheries Council in October concentrated on matters related to sea fisheries.

  The Scottish Executive are very conscious of the importance of freshwater fisheries, particularly salmon and sea trout. Prima facie, freshwater fisheries are eligible under the revised Financial Instrument for Fisheries Guidance Regulation which will provide some support through the Highlands and Islands Special Phasing-Out Programme. Success will, however, depend on suitable projects being submitted.

  I attended the Council meeting on 26 October and I will also attend the Fisheries Councils in November and December.

Health

Colin Campbell (West of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when the report of the expert advisory group on infertility services in Scotland will be made available to MSPs and the public.

Susan Deacon: The Expert Advisory Group on Infertility Services in Scotland has presented their report on the clinical management on infertility services to the Chief Medical Officer in Scotland and to the Clinical Resources and Audit Group. The Report is currently being considered. A decision concerning the publication of the report will be taken in the light of that consideration.

Health

Shona Robison (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it was aware, when an announcement was made in July 1999 that all first year students would be offered a meningitis vaccination, that GPs would be unable to cope with the demand due to a shortage of vaccine.

Susan Deacon: When health professionals were advised in July of the introduction of the immunisation programme, it was believed that polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine for students would become available during September. In the event less vaccine was available at the start of September than had been hoped, but adequate supplies for all appropriate students were received in the following weeks.

  Communications from the Scottish Executive Health Department to students and general practitioners made it clear that vaccine would become available gradually during September and that relevant students should discuss vaccine availability with their general practice. It was also made clear that vaccine availability, and varying dates of commencement of term, would mean that a number of students would have to be immunised after arrival at their place of study, rather than by their own GP.

Health

David McLetchie (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish the report prepared by the National Services Division of the NHS in Scotland, upon which it based its decision to transfer paediatric cardiac surgery from Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children at Yorkhill, Glasgow.

Susan Deacon: This issue was discussed fully during Open Question Time on 30 September. As the Deputy First Minister and Minister for Justice explained, the National Services Division work formed part of the wide range of advice which the Executive took into account before reaching our decision. Under the Code of Practice on Access to Scottish Executive Information, all such advice is exempt from publication.

Health

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will support the creation of a new orthoptic degree at a Scottish university and invite formal representations from higher education institutions to achieve that aim.

Susan Deacon: I refer Mr Hamilton to my answer to his question S1W-555 on 29 July 1999. No decision has yet been made on this issue.

Health

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what action is being taken to replace outdated radiology equipment in the NHS in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: As part of the implementation of the Acute Services Review, the Chief Medical Officer invited the Scottish Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee (SMASAC) to set up a multidisciplinary Working Group to develop a framework for the procurement of clinical radiology equipment, with particular reference to the management of cancer as one of the clinical priorities of the NHS in Scotland. The remit covers the replacement of outdated equipment as well as the assessment and planned implementation of new service developments related to cancer imaging. The Working Group has nearly completed its task and will be reporting its findings shortly.

Health

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many health boards in Scotland allow children under 16 to sign their own sight test forms to request an eye examination.

Susan Deacon: None.

Health

Dorothy-Grace Elder (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what measures have been taken to ensure that Glasgow Royal Infirmary will function effectively during the millennium celebrations taking place in the George Square and High Street areas of Glasgow between 30 December 1999 and 1 January 2000.

Susan Deacon: Planning for the millennium celebrations throughout Glasgow has been co-ordinated by Greater Glasgow Health Board and Glasgow Royal Infirmary is only one of the many service providers involved.

  I understand that a major Casualty Clearance Station will be created and located in Ingram Street car park. All casualties from George Square and the Merchant City venues, other than those with life threatening injuries, will initially be taken to this facility for triage before receiving treatment if practical and subsequent transportation to any of the City’s hospitals if necessary. Should hospital treatment be required, transfer will be co-ordinated by the Scottish Ambulance Service to an appropriate designated hospital thereby distributing the pressures on the City’s A&E Departments.

  Should you require further details may I suggest that you contact Greater Glasgow Health Board direct.

Health

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-605 by Susan Deacon on 13 October 1999, what stage the review of the provision of cochlear implant services is currently at, and when it will be completed.

Phil Gallie (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S1W-605 by Susan Deacon on 13 October 1999, whether, upon the completion of the review, the Minister for Health and Community Care will make an early declaration on the future of cochlear implant services in Scotland.

Susan Deacon: The future provision of cochlear implantation in Scotland has been considered by the National Services Advisory Group, which advises The Scottish Executive on specialist services. The group is currently seeking the views of Health Board General Managers before submitting its advice to me. The Scottish Executive will make a decision on future provision of cochlear implantation services for Scottish residents when it has had the opportunity to consider the Group’s advice in due course.

Health

Karen Gillon (Clydesdale) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people died from asthma in Scotland during 1998 and how many of these deaths were of people below the age of 65.

Susan Deacon: There were 120 deaths from asthma in Scotland during 1998. Of these, 51 were to people aged under 65.

  These figures are taken from Table 6.4 of the 1998 Annual Report of the Registrar General for Scotland. A copy of this volume, which was published on 27 July 1999, was sent to each Member of the Scottish Parliament. Comprehensive cause-of-death information is also available on the web site of the General Register Office for Scotland (http://www.open.gov.uk/gros/98sect6.htm).

Health

Mr Michael McMahon (Hamilton North and Bellshill) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what advice it has received from its medical advisers on the possible impact on breast cancer detection rates and breast cancer mortality rates of extending the routine call/recall element of the breast cancer screening programme to women aged 65-69.

Susan Deacon: The Scottish Executive is firmly committed to the Breast Screening Programme. At present, women aged 50-64 are invited every three years and women aged over 64 can attend on request, either through their General Practitioner or by calling their local breast screening centre.

  A Scottish project aimed at assessing the implications of extending the upper age limit of invitation, which was undertaken in the West of Scotland, is due to be completed shortly. The results of the Scottish study will be considered by the Scottish Breast Screening National Advisory Group whose membership includes relevant medical expertise. In considering the findings of the project I would expect the Group to take into account issues such as breast cancer detection and mortality rates and the cost-effectiveness of any proposal to extend the upper age limit of routine screening.

  We will consider the Group's recommendations in due course.

Health

Andrew Wilson (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive in which years there was a recorded reduction in real terms spending on the health service in Scotland in each year for which information is available.

Susan Deacon: I refer the member to the tables issued to MSPs on 6 October following the Minister for Finance’s announcement to Parliament of the Executive’s proposed spending revisions. Figures for real terms spending on the health service were included in those tables.

Health

Mr Kenny MacAskill (Lothians) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how much money is anticipated to be recovered by health authorities in respect of charges pursued and recovered under the National Health Service (Penalty Charge) (Scotland) Regulations 1999; how many individuals will be subject to such proceedings, and what criteria, if any, will be specified for the initiation of proceedings or the writing off of charges.

Susan Deacon: It is not possible to predict how much money will be recovered or how many individuals will be subject to proceedings until the new regulations have been in force for a reasonable period. A sample of NHS prescription forms, dental claim forms or claims for other benefits such as free sight tests or optical vouchers will be subject to post payment checking. Where such checks confirm that a patient has evaded NHS charges or wrongfully claimed entitlement to NHS benefits or payments, that patient will be served with a penalty notice. There are no plans currently to write off charges wrongfully evaded.

  Action to combat patient evasion of NHS charges stems from a scrutiny of NHS prescription fraud commissioned by the Department of Health in 1997 which estimated that between £70 million and £100 million is lost to the NHS in England annually by patients wrongfully claiming entitlement to free prescriptions. This suggests that, pro rata, between £7 million and £10 million may be lost to the NHS in Scotland each year from prescription charge evasion.

  We already have some evidence of wrongful claims by patients in Scotland. Point of dispensing checks by community pharmacists of patient entitlement to free NHS prescriptions were introduced in Scotland last October. Since then, there has been an increase in the number of prescriptions on which charges have been collected by pharmacists, and in the number of pre-payment certificates ("season tickets") purchased by patients.

Highlands and Islands

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will list which funds have been expended on the "On the Edge" initiative and state where and to whom have the funds been made available.

Mr Alasdair Morrison: The Initiative at the Edge (Iomairt aig an Oir) seeks to encourage the main public support agencies, in partnership, to channel more of their existing resources into some of the most remote communities of Scotland. Details of expenditure directed towards Initiative at the Edge priorities are an operational matter for the partner agencies (Highlands & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Homes, the Crofters’ Commission and - from September 1999 - Scottish Natural Heritage working with local councils). I shall ask the Chairman of Highlands & Islands Enterprise to provide Dr Ewing, after consultation with the other partners, with a composite response.

Highlands and Islands

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will make a decision on the proposed Lingerbay superquarry.

Sarah Boyack: This is a very technical and complex case and sufficient time will be required to give full and proper consideration to the report of the public local inquiry. The conclusions of the Scottish Executive will, however, be made known to parties as soon as reasonably practical.

Industry

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what investment it has undertaken either directly or through its executive agencies in the development of nanotechnology in Scotland.

Mr Henry McLeish: Funding for research into nanotechnology is provided by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. One of the recipients is the University of Glasgow, which is one of the leading centres for research into nanotechnology in the United Kingdom. Funding for nanotechnology research is also available to Scottish companies and research institutions from the EC Fifth Framework Programme. Projects involving nanotechnology are eligible for the full range of UK Government, Scottish Executive and Scottish Enterprise innovation support available for new technologies.

Justice

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many Community Service Orders are currently being carried out in East Ayrshire and what work is being undertaken as part of these Orders.

Mr Jim Wallace: There are currently 107 Community Service Orders being supervised by East Ayrshire Council Social Work Department. Work being undertaken includes environmental improvement work, painting and decorating for the elderly and support for various community organisations.

Justice

Irene McGugan (North-East Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive further to the answer to question S1W-1794 by Lord Hardie on 26 October 1999, whether, where there is a statutory requirement to publish a statutory instrument, failure to do so provides a reasonable excuse in defence of any person accused of non-compliance with any such statutory instrument.

Lord Hardie: Section 3(2) of the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 provides for a defence as detailed in my answer to question S1W-1794. If, however, a defence of reasonable excuse were to be advanced it would be a question of law for the Courts to determine as to whether or not such a "reasonable excuse" could be imported into any specific enactment.

Licensing

Mr Kenneth Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has any plans to extend the opening hours of casinos in Scotland.

Mr Jim Wallace: We have today issued a consultation letter to interested parties regarding casino opening hours. At present casinos must close at 4am. We propose an extension from 4am to 6am (except Sundays) for casinos in Scotland. Comments are requested by 31 January 2000.

  The Gaming Act 1968 imposes restrictions on the gaming hours that gaming establishments may open. Under Section 18 of the Act, casinos must close between 4am and 2pm on Sundays. The hours on other days are prescribed by regulations made by the Scottish Ministers in respect of Scotland and the Secretary of State in respect of England and Wales. Under the Gaming Clubs (Hours and Charges)(Scotland) Regulations 1984, the opening hours of casinos are currently from 2pm until 4am.

  The British Casino Association, which represents all casinos in Great Britain, has asked for a change in the law to allow casinos to open until 6am on Monday to Saturday mornings.

  Following consultation with the Gaming Board for Great Britain, we have agreed in principle to the proposed change. Casinos are places for late night entertainment and we see no objection to a later closing time.

  Gambling is a reserved matter but some powers to make secondary legislation have been executively devolved to the Scottish Ministers, including gaming hours. The Home Office is embarking on a similar exercise in respect of casinos in England and Wales.

Police

Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive how many children are at present being held in police cells, and what steps will it take to address this issue.

Mr Jim Wallace: Children are only held in police cells until arrangements can be made for them to appear before a Children’s Hearing. We are currently reviewing policy on secure accommodation and we hope to make a statement before the end of the year about its use and its alternatives. The need to detain children in police cells will be considered as part of this review.

Prison Service

Alasdair Morgan (Galloway and Upper Nithsdale) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will give an assurance that any reduction in funding to the Scottish Prison Service will not result in the closure of Penninghame open prison.

Mr Jim Wallace: I can give no such undertaking. Having taken decisions on the distribution of the funds available to the Justice programme, it is now for the Board of the Scottish Prison Service to decide on the adjustments to be made by the Agency which they plan to do within the next few weeks.

Prison Service

Paul Martin (Glasgow Springburn) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive Scottish Executive whether it will take steps to improve security within Scottish prisons in order to prevent prisoners telephoning families of murder victims.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Prison Service have in place systems to record all telephone calls made by prisoners. This includes the capacity to trace the number called. In order to further control the use of telephones, consideration is being given to procuring a PIN Number System to restrict calls only to approved recipients.

Rural Affairs

Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will make representations to Her Majesty’s Government to ensure that current examination of potential monopoly practice in the dairy industry will consider Scotland as a distinct market and therefore investigate potential monopoly practice specifically in Scotland.

Ross Finnie: We understand that there are no examinations of potential monopoly practices in the dairy industry currently being investigated by the Department of Trade and Industry, the Office of Fair Trading or the Competition Commission. However, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has invited comments from interested organisations on the proposals from Milk Marque to split into three successor bodies.

  Under normal procedures for competition enquiries whether Scotland should be considered a distinct market for goods or services will depend on the nature of any investigation being undertaken by the Office of Fair Trading or the Competition Commission. They will consider each case individually and take all factors into consideration before reaching a decision on the market structure.

Safety

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what representations, if any, it has made to Her Majesty's Government about the safety and security arrangements at Faslane.

Mr Jim Wallace: The Scottish Executive is constantly in touch with Her Majesty’s Government on a range of matters. Responsibility for safety and security at the Faslane base, however, rests primarily with the Ministry of Defence. Strathclyde Police are responsible for dealing with safety and security matters requiring police involvement which arise outside Faslane’s perimeter. There is close liaison between both on these matters.

Transport

Mr Murray Tosh (South of Scotland) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has commissioned, or intends to commission research into the Fuelmaster device, developed by Andy Guy and John McFarlane, to reduce emissions from petrol-driven vehicles.

Henry McLeish: A number of companies’ market similar devices to the Fuelmaster. The UK Government's Energy Technology Support Unit (ETSU) evaluates these products on an ongoing basis, and the makers of Fuelmaster should contact the Unit to have their product evaluated, if they have not already done so. As ETSU provides a UK wide service, there is no need for the Scottish Executive to undertake a separate evaluation.

Transport

Alex Neil (Central Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has for the upgrading of railway stations between Kilmarnock and Glasgow, including Kilmarnock station.

Sarah Boyack: The development and upgrading of railway infrastructure, including stations, is primarily a matter for Railtrack. I understand that the company is currently spending over £1.7 million on refurbishing Kilmarnock station.

Water

Ms Irene Oldfather (Cunninghame South) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it is taking steps to ensure that lead solder is not used for domestic drinking water systems.

Sarah Boyack: The use of lead solder in domestic drinking water systems has been prohibited by the Water Supply Bylaws since 1987. A contravention of the Bylaws is a criminal offence liable to fines at level 4 on summary conviction and £50 per day for a continuing offence.

  The recent discovery of lead solders in new buildings has resulted in the West of Scotland Water Authority issuing letters to the offending contractors requiring them to rectify the faults. The water authority has powers to rectify the faults and to recover the cost if the contractors concerned do not comply. In addition the water authorities have written to all plumbers and related trade organisations to remind them of the Bylaw requirements.